Horse Around Acres

New Worming Policy

We have decided to change our worming policy.  In the past, our policy was that all horses at Horse Around Acres be wormed twice a year on the same day so that a horse not wormed didn’t reinfect the others.  We did it twice a year because we realize there are differing opinions on worming schedules.  The traditional advice is to worm every 6 to 8 weeks and to rotate wormers.  Other theories hold that frequent worming encourages resistance buildup.  We didn’t set any date or provide the boarders with the type of worming we were going to do.  We realize this has made it difficult for you to perform your own worming program. 

It has been our policy all along that instead of charging you a large board bill and covering all costs, we instead keep our base board down and charge you only for services you want.  From now on, you will be able to purchase your own wormer and administer it yourself as long as it is in the same class group that we have scheduled thus saving you money. 

Every boarder will be given a one-week period in which to worm their horse, three times a year.  A reminder will be sent out and a list will be posted in your barn.  When you have wormed your horse, please write down the date and the wormer used by your horse’s name.

 The schedule for 2010 is:

 I’ve decided on these dates mainly to schedule December’s treatment to after the first hard frost.  The first hard frost is determined to be when the temperature drops below 26 degrees for at least 3 hours.  The rest are scheduled in approximate equal spans. 

*These are specific.  The wormer chosen has to target these parasites.  The brands I will be choosing will also be effective against at least large and small strongyles, roundworms (ascarids) and pinworms.  The wormers I will administer are in bold:

 **Moxidectin – Quest Gel

With praziquantel -  Farnam Combocare, Quest Gel Plus

Encysted cyathostomes are only controlled by moxidectin

One administration suppresses strongyle egg production for 84 days

Praziquantel –

            With Ivermectin – Zimecterin Gold, Equimax,

            With Moxidectin – Quest Gel Plus, Farnam Combocare

            NOTE:  Tapeworms can also be controlled with TapeCare Plus, a Pyrantel Pamoate.  Other brands use pyrantel pamoate, but be sure to read the label.  Tapeworms need a heavier dose.

Ivermectin – Bimectin (flavored), Zimecterin, Rotectin 1, Equimectrin, Eqvalan,

            With praziquantel – Zimecterin Gold, Equimax

If you would like me to administer the wormer or if a horse hasn’t been wormed by the end of the week, I will perform it myself.  There will be a charge of $25 which includes the cost of the wormer.